ASI-certified aluminium – your path to a sustainable future
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) aims to promote transparency, sustainability and responsible aluminium production within the aluminium industry.
Two standards are essential for the responsible extraction of aluminium:
The Performance Standard is structured around eleven sustainability aspects , organised according to the three sustainability areas of environment, social and economy.
The Chain of Custody complements the Performance Standard and is voluntary for ASI members, but is recommended. It contains requirements for establishing a product chain for CoC material, including ASI aluminium, which is produced and processed across the value chain in various downstream sectors..
Benefits of Certification
Profitability
ASI certification makes your company more attractive to customers and partners, opens up new markets and thus ensures long-term economic success.
Competitive Advantage
Certified companies stand out in the market and position themselves as sustainable pioneers.
Compliance
ASI certification facilitates compliance with ESG standards, laws and supply chain obligations. It reduces legal risks and creates security for customers, partners and investors.
Customer Loyalty
ASI certification demonstrates your active commitment to sustainability. This increases the satisfaction of existing customers and improves the chances of long-term partnerships.
Sustainability
Your company demonstrates that aluminium is produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner throughout the entire value chain.
4 steps to ASI certification
Step 1: You register your company as an ASI member – this is necessary in order to obtain an ASI certificate. The industry class is defined here (Industrial User or Production and Transformation).
Step 2: In a self-assessment, you estimate the scope to be audited. The information from the self-assessment forms the basis for the verification process and is checked by external auditors during the two audits. The auditor also determines the maturity rating of the audited area, which is then confirmed by the ASI.
Step 3: Once the audit has been completed by a GUTcert auditor, the audit results are submitted to the ASI for certification. The ASI then uploads the certificate and audit report to its website.
Step 4: If the maturity rating is rather low, surveillance audits are carried out in a 3-year cycle. If the maturity rating is high, only recertification after three years is necessary to retain the certificate.
Note: Within two years of joining, at least one production facility, product or programme must be certified according to the Performance Standard.
The ASI certification program relies on competent and experienced third party conformity assessment bodies. We are very pleased to have GUTcert as our first German-based ASI Accredited Audit firm. GUTcert are a professional organisation that are able to offer comprehensive certification audit services for our Members as applicable to their Accreditation scope.
Sam Brumale, ASI's Director of Standards and Assurance
[Translated with DeepL]
The GUTcert team has supported the process of the ASI Audit Performance Standard. Hydro Extruded Solutions Hoogezand is now the first extrusion plant in the world to obtain the certification, and we would like to thank GUTcert and their auditors for the good cooperation.
Ing. Jan de Hoop MBA, Hydro Extruded Solutions Hoogezand B.V.
[Translated with DeepL]
By deciding in favour of GUTcert, we had an experienced partner at our side during the auditing phase to bring valuable impetus into the company with this new certification standard. Last but not least, the open and trusting relationship with the auditor was important. All of this fitted together and led to success.
Stefan Rohrmus, Schüco International KG
[Translated with DeepL]
The ASI standard is relevant for all companies along the aluminium value chain that want to demonstrate sustainability and responsibility. This includes producers and refineries that extract and process aluminium responsibly, as well as manufacturers and processors from industries such as automotive, construction and packaging that use certified aluminium.
Traders and supply chain partners also benefit from greater transparency and traceability. In addition, the standard makes it easier for investors and ESG-oriented stakeholders to evaluate sustainable business models and supports brand companies in credibly communicating their environmental and social responsibility.
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a comprehensive system for sustainability and responsibility in the aluminium value chain.
Specifically, ASI includes:
Standards & Certification
Performance Standard: Guidelines for responsible environmental, social and governance practices throughout the supply chain
Chain of Custody Standard: Ensuring that certified aluminium is traceable from the mine to the end product
Environmental management
Resource conservation, energy efficiency, climate protection, waste and water management
Corporate ethics, anti-corruption, compliance with legal regulations and ESG requirements
Audits and independent verification
Regular external audits ensure compliance with the standards
Promotion of the circular economy
Recycling, reuse of aluminium and promotion of sustainable product designs ASI ensures that aluminium is produced, processed and handled in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible and transparent manner.
Pre-audit
A pre-audit is optional – it is designed to prepare you as well as possible for the certification audit. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the specific requirements of the standard and get to know our auditors. As a result, you will receive a report that identifies any gaps in your management system (gap analysis).
As a recognised accredited certification body, we verify your company according to both the Performance Standard and the Chain of Custody Standard (CoC). You benefit from our experience gained in previous projects during the certification process. Through our parent company, the Afnor Group, we operate worldwide.
ASI certification is closely linked to international standards and initiatives. It builds on ISO standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, supports companies in complying with ESG requirements and supply chain laws such as the CSRD and the EU Supply Chain Act. At the same time, it promotes recycling and the circular economy and can be combined with other material and supply chain certifications. This enables companies to demonstrate their sustainability efficiently, credibly and internationally.
The audit costs are primarily based on the scope of the audit. This is determined by an assessment of complexity and the number of employees at the site. The number of audit days is specified in the Assurance Manual.
Further services
ISO 14001
ISO 14001 certification guarantees you continuous improvement of your environmental performance and cost reduction through economical use of raw materials and energy
